Granite streets, harbour views and a little unexpected theatre – Aberdeen quietly won us over. Dinner at The Silver Darling came with ships gliding past the window, while butteries fuelled a wander through Old Aberdeen. From King’s College Chapel to a prehistoric mound hiding in Seaton Park, it’s a city that reveals its stories gently, and all the better for it.

Dame Maureen Lipman is simply magnificent in Peter Quilter's uplifting new comedy Allegra. I attended the press night at Richmond Theatre and was charmed by its warmth, imagination and heart. With delightful musical fantasy sequences, inventive props and a wonderfully strong supporting cast, this is a life-affirming evening of theatre. In a world full of bad news, we could all do with an Allegra in our lives.

Dark of the Moon blends Appalachian folklore, forbidden romance and Americana-inspired music into an ambitious new musical. While atmospheric staging, strong performances and a standout turn from Josie Benson impress, an over-amplified sound design and uneven storytelling prevent the production from fully casting its spell. A fascinating but flawed show that never quite reaches its potential. ★★★

Matthew Lyon’s Player at Riverside Studios is a sharp, inventive satire of the acting industry that balances biting humour with emotional honesty. Fast, witty and brilliantly performed, it captures the insecurity, ambition and persistence required to survive creatively. Funny, raw and hugely entertaining, it’s a masterfully written contemporary production and a genuine 5-star triumph.

Learning Beer (Properly) with WSET Level 2 Whether you’re someone who enjoys the occasional pint, or you’ve found yourself regularly reaching for different styles to see what’s out there, beer has a way of quietly expanding beyond what you expect. Beer as a drinks "genre" is a huge and diverse place with vastly differing styles and types. One minute it’s a cold lager at the pub, the next you’re debating the merits of a hazy IPA versus something a little more malt-forward. And

There is something deliciously subversive about Churchill’s Urinal, where British politics is turned gloriously inside out. Rosie Holt is superb as a beleaguered Chancellor, balancing razor-sharp wit with moments of real vulnerability, while Michael Lambourne’s vodka-drinking Churchill-voiced urinal is absurdly inspired. Sharp, funny, and unsettlingly timely, this is satire with real bite.

At the beginning of April we spent three days in Rome using the Rome City Pass — and despite a few quirks, it helped shape a magical trip. From iconic sights like the Colosseum, Pantheon and Vatican Museums to hidden gems such as the Case Romane and Vicus Caprarius, the pass offered excellent value, skip-the-line convenience, and a brilliant mix of ancient history, art and quieter corners of the Eternal City.

It’s 1890s Paris and Le Chat Noir is reborn. This five‑star immersive dinner‑theatre delivers sensational cabaret, live musicians, exquisite detail and joyful French anarchy. Come dressed to impress, eat well, drink absinthe and leave exhilarated.

Madrid is made for art lovers on a short break. Three world‑class galleries sit within walking distance, from Goya’s unflinching truth‑telling and El Greco’s otherworldly intensity at the Prado, to Picasso’s devastating Guernica and the calm brilliance of the Thyssen. Highlights there include jaw‑dropping Canalettos, a powerful Holbein portrait of Henry VIII, and a Georgia O’Keeffe I’m still thinking about.

Last Sunday night at the Dominion felt more like a glitter‑splashed anniversary party than a standard theatre trip. I loved briefly meeting original cast members and the enthusiastic, funny fan‑club Q&A, with a shy appearance from Peter Hinwood, the original Rocky, who later left acting for an art‑gallery life. The shadow cast was fun and inclusive at first, Little Nell was a joy, but the constant film heckling wore thin. ⭐️⭐️⭐️½

Joyfully chaotic and packed with nostalgia, Biff To The Future is a fast, funny one-man romp led by a superbly energetic Joseph Maudsley. With pitch-perfect sound cue interplay and inspired audience moments (that air guitarist!), it’s playful, irreverent and all the better if you know the films.

Conceived during Covid-19, TR(IA)L is a tense, claustrophobic sci-fi drama following ‘Subject X’ as she undergoes a mysterious drug trial. Isolated and stripped of memory, she begins to question her reality—and her supervisor. Smart and unsettling, it offers a chilling reflection on control, identity, and modern science

A clever and chaotic musical that flips Cinderella on its head and keeps the laughs coming. With jokes pitched perfectly for both children and adults, standout performances from the Fairy Godfather and Wicked Stepmother, and a pace that never lets up, Apparently Ugly is sharp, silly and hugely enjoyable. ★★★★★

A warm, witty and deeply relatable look at love after sixty, Invisible Me shines thanks to Bren Gosling’s insightful script and a beautifully layered performance from Tessa Peake-Jones. Honest, funny and quietly moving, it’s a refreshing reminder that life’s most exciting chapters can still lie ahead.

This gripping 90-minute Saint Joan distils Shaw’s epic into a fierce, modern clash of faith and power. Ruthie Black is electrifying in the title role, while James Saxby’s shapeshifting performance is equally compelling. Together, they create a taut, thought-provoking piece that feels urgent, intimate, and strikingly relevant.

A raw and unsettling exploration of trauma, this powerful one-hour play follows fractured lives colliding with devastating consequences. With haunting performances, a sparse candlelit set and striking live music, it’s an intense theatrical experience that lingers long after the final moment.

2210 by Natty Can Cook in Herne Hill is a buzzing Caribbean restaurant serving standout dishes, from the best roti we’ve ever had to perfectly spiced jerk chicken and tender oxtail. With warm, attentive service (and a surprise rum punch for a birthday), it’s a neighbourhood spot we hope stays busy every night.

We explored Madrid using the GPSmyCity walking app, following a route from the Royal Palace to Retiro Park. It’s a brilliant way to see the city at your own pace, with plenty of stops for history, food and people-watching. A few directions could be clearer, but overall we’d happily recommend it.

A gripping two-hander, THIS IS NOT ABOUT ME. charts Grace and Eli’s relationship from childhood to adulthood with striking emotional clarity. Amaia Naima Aguinaga and Francis Nunnery share compelling chemistry, while inventive staging blends puppetry, projection and craft. This meta, self-aware piece probes memory, authorship and control with layered, thought-provoking precision.

Moonlight is a musical reflecting on Phil Lynott’s early life, the rise of Thin Lizzy and his untimely death. Staged at the Hammersmith Apollo, where “Live and Dangerous” was recorded, it adds poignancy. Featuring Eric Bell and a powerful central performance, the show blends music, memory and myth in a tribute to a rock icon.